RAS question
The Bikaner Praja Parishad was established in which year?
Correct answer: (A) 1942.
The Bikaner Praja Parishad was formed on 22 July 1942 through the efforts of Raghuvar Dayal Goyal and his associates.
Explanation
Bikaner Praja Parishad belongs to the later phase of the popular movement in the Bikaner princely state. It was founded in 1942 by Raghuvar Dayal Goyal, and the Proceedings of Rajasthan History Congress, Vol. 35 gives the precise formation date: 22 July 1942. The background matters because Bikaner had seen earlier Praja Mandal activity, followed by a lull between 1937 and 1942 before the second political organisation, the Praja Parishad, emerged. Maharaja Ganga Singh's strong control also explains why Bikaner was among the later states to see an organised people's movement. The 1942 date therefore marks a renewed, not initial, phase of political mobilisation in Bikaner.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) 1936 is too early: the later Praja Parishad phase came after the earlier Praja Mandal activity, with its formation date on 22 July 1942.
- (C) 1938 falls within the 1937-1942 lull, before the second political organisation, Bikaner Praja Parishad, was formed.
- (D) 1940 is still before the formation date, as the Praja Parishad was formed only on 22 July 1942.
Concept
This tests the chronology of Praja Mandal and Praja Parishad movements in Rajasthan's princely states. RAS often asks such dates because they connect local political awakening with the wider struggle for responsible government.